Bus drivers agree pay rise with Network Warrington bosses

BUS drivers in the town, who have been embroiled in a bitter dispute with transport chiefs over pay, are in line to receive a two per cent increase, the Warrington Guardian can reveal.

But it has emerged that the agreement was reached just two weeks prior to bosses at Network Warrington announcing a massive hike on ticket prices.

Passengers have been forced to dig deep after fares were increased by up to 65 per cent on August 17.

The changes were met with outrage by many who criticised the company for pricing people out of using the service.

While the news is expected to raise a few eyebrows by passengers, the north west regional officer for Unite Kenny Rowe welcomed the news that the pay rise had been accepted by its members and Network Warrington bosses.

But he added that the increase was not higher that the rise in the cost of living.

He said: "I'm never happy to settle for less than the retail prices index (RPI) but it means members are now moving forward.

"Now our members and the company can work together to try to improve the service in the town."

Last year, Unite union members took part in a series of strikes causing services in the town to grind to a halt.

The string of walkouts was as a result of an on-going pay row and concerns linked to the management of the company.

But Latchford resident Kelly Lafferty, who launched an online petition to stop 'the great bus rip off' following the price hike, said the workers were deserving of the pay rise but described the news as a ‘kick in the teeth’.

She added: "I think it's a good thing that the hardest working people in the company are getting an increase.

"But I don't think the two per cent increase justifies the fair increases that have been implemented.

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"This still doesn't demonstrate where the money is going and it's a bit of a kick in the teeth for customers who are still experiencing a poor and unreliable service with a reduced timetable."

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Comments (12)

The drivers are getting what is fair, its the top bosses that are incompetent. Why is there no evening buses to the highly populated Grappenhall and Lymm areas of Warrington in an evening. Pathetic.

The drivers are getting what is fair, its the top bosses that are incompetent. Why is there no evening buses to the highly populated Grappenhall and Lymm areas of Warrington in an evening. Pathetic.tangerinewire

The drivers are getting what is fair, its the top bosses that are incompetent. Why is there no evening buses to the highly populated Grappenhall and Lymm areas of Warrington in an evening. Pathetic.

Score: 1

Out of Warrington says...7:56am Thu 4 Sep 14

tangerinewire wrote…

The drivers are getting what is fair, its the top bosses that are incompetent. Why is there no evening buses to the highly populated Grappenhall and Lymm areas of Warrington in an evening. Pathetic.

Agree with you that the drivers deserve the pay rise. I guess that there's no evening buses in Grappenhall and Lymm because the demand doesn't justify the cost. No good running a bus service when there's only 2 or 3 people using it, the finances don't stack up.

[quote][p][bold]tangerinewire[/bold] wrote:
The drivers are getting what is fair, its the top bosses that are incompetent. Why is there no evening buses to the highly populated Grappenhall and Lymm areas of Warrington in an evening. Pathetic.[/p][/quote]Agree with you that the drivers deserve the pay rise.
I guess that there's no evening buses in Grappenhall and Lymm because the demand doesn't justify the cost.
No good running a bus service when there's only 2 or 3 people using it, the finances don't stack up.Out of Warrington

tangerinewire wrote…

The drivers are getting what is fair, its the top bosses that are incompetent. Why is there no evening buses to the highly populated Grappenhall and Lymm areas of Warrington in an evening. Pathetic.

Agree with you that the drivers deserve the pay rise. I guess that there's no evening buses in Grappenhall and Lymm because the demand doesn't justify the cost. No good running a bus service when there's only 2 or 3 people using it, the finances don't stack up.

Score: 3

Reader says...9:09am Thu 4 Sep 14

Glad the drivers have got their pay rise but how many will loose their jobs when even more people stop using busses now the prices have shot up. It will cost me £3.70 now to get from here to Crosfields one way and there's no way I'm paying that. Thats a £7.40 in one day if I come back by bus too. Much cheaper to use my own car !!!!!!

Glad the drivers have got their pay rise but how many will loose their jobs when even more people stop using busses now the prices have shot up. It will cost me £3.70 now to get from here to Crosfields one way and there's no way I'm paying that. Thats a £7.40 in one day if I come back by bus too. Much cheaper to use my own car !!!!!!Reader

Glad the drivers have got their pay rise but how many will loose their jobs when even more people stop using busses now the prices have shot up. It will cost me £3.70 now to get from here to Crosfields one way and there's no way I'm paying that. Thats a £7.40 in one day if I come back by bus too. Much cheaper to use my own car !!!!!!

Score: 2

Daveycarre says...10:01am Thu 4 Sep 14

The drivers pay rise and the protracted industrial action last year has been a major contributing factor relating to the difficult decisions NW have had to make. Many sectors in the UK have had to limit their pay increases why not dvrs at NW. So don't blame Management all the time reflect on the industrial action of last year. Feelings amongst the public were very different then.

The drivers pay rise and the protracted industrial action last year has been a major contributing factor relating to the difficult decisions NW have had to make. Many sectors in the UK have had to limit their pay increases why not dvrs at NW. So don't blame Management all the time reflect on the industrial action of last year. Feelings amongst the public were very different then.Daveycarre

The drivers pay rise and the protracted industrial action last year has been a major contributing factor relating to the difficult decisions NW have had to make. Many sectors in the UK have had to limit their pay increases why not dvrs at NW. So don't blame Management all the time reflect on the industrial action of last year. Feelings amongst the public were very different then.

Score: -3

Daveycarre says...10:03am Thu 4 Sep 14

By the way my bus is on time and full to standing room.

By the way my bus is on time and full to standing room.Daveycarre

By the way my bus is on time and full to standing room.

Score: -3

tangerinewire says...10:50am Thu 4 Sep 14

My point is that it is a "service" and hence that also means the evening not just the day-time.

My point is that it is a "service" and hence that also means the evening not just the day-time.tangerinewire

My point is that it is a "service" and hence that also means the evening not just the day-time.

Score: 1

Kellystad says...11:00am Thu 4 Sep 14

Couldn't agree with you any more Daveycarre. 2% pay increase. Wouldn't that be nice after personally having no pay increase for four years!

Couldn't agree with you any more Daveycarre. 2% pay increase. Wouldn't that be nice after personally having no pay increase for four years!Kellystad

Couldn't agree with you any more Daveycarre. 2% pay increase. Wouldn't that be nice after personally having no pay increase for four years!

Score: 2

uncle serge says...12:23pm Thu 4 Sep 14

What a pity the council workers can't sort pay rises like this every year. One pay rise of 1% in five years.

What a pity the council workers can't sort pay rises like this every year. One pay rise of 1% in five years.uncle serge

What a pity the council workers can't sort pay rises like this every year. One pay rise of 1% in five years.

Score: 3

tojahejome says...12:33pm Thu 4 Sep 14

uncle serge wrote…

What a pity the council workers can't sort pay rises like this every year. One pay rise of 1% in five years.

I don't know the answer to this question, but have the council workers threatened or taken part in industrial action to attemp to gain a better pay deal? I am in total agreement with the bus drivers getting this rise. They work unsociable hours and often have to put up with verbal and mental abuse from the public. I wouldn't want their job.

[quote][p][bold]uncle serge[/bold] wrote:
What a pity the council workers can't sort pay rises like this every year. One pay rise of 1% in five years.[/p][/quote]I don't know the answer to this question, but have the council workers threatened or taken part in industrial action to attemp to gain a better pay deal?
I am in total agreement with the bus drivers getting this rise. They work unsociable hours and often have to put up with verbal and mental abuse from the public. I wouldn't want their job.tojahejome

uncle serge wrote…

What a pity the council workers can't sort pay rises like this every year. One pay rise of 1% in five years.

I don't know the answer to this question, but have the council workers threatened or taken part in industrial action to attemp to gain a better pay deal? I am in total agreement with the bus drivers getting this rise. They work unsociable hours and often have to put up with verbal and mental abuse from the public. I wouldn't want their job.

Score: 2

moleogod says...3:42pm Thu 4 Sep 14

We don't have a problem with drivers earning a living wage. Its the higher management our protest is with not their workforce.

We don't have a problem with drivers earning a living wage. Its the higher management our protest is with not their workforce.moleogod

We don't have a problem with drivers earning a living wage. Its the higher management our protest is with not their workforce.

Score: 5

cirian75 says...8:26pm Thu 4 Sep 14

the 2 main reasons the prices are up are 1- highly paid execs 2- and much more importantly, the bus station was sold and rented back, but the, the ownership has swapped 2 more times since it was sold, the newest owners are jacking up the rent.

the 2 main reasons the prices are up are
1- highly paid execs
2- and much more importantly, the bus station was sold and rented back, but the, the ownership has swapped 2 more times since it was sold, the newest owners are jacking up the rent.cirian75

the 2 main reasons the prices are up are 1- highly paid execs 2- and much more importantly, the bus station was sold and rented back, but the, the ownership has swapped 2 more times since it was sold, the newest owners are jacking up the rent.

Score: 1

mickydebargos says...4:36pm Mon 8 Sep 14

I find it amazing that the Guardian don't print the story of the Network Warrington driver who was seriously assaulted in Northwich by a gha travel driver on Saturday. I also expect this comment to be deleted by the anti Network Warrington Guardian ;)

I find it amazing that the Guardian don't print the story of the Network Warrington driver who was seriously assaulted in Northwich by a gha travel driver on Saturday. I also expect this comment to be deleted by the anti Network Warrington Guardian ;)mickydebargos

I find it amazing that the Guardian don't print the story of the Network Warrington driver who was seriously assaulted in Northwich by a gha travel driver on Saturday. I also expect this comment to be deleted by the anti Network Warrington Guardian ;)

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